Friday, December 30, 2011

What Are We Here For?


Matthew 8:28-34
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
 32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Have you ever felt like you were doing something good and others took it as a bad thing?  Or, have you ever said something that others misunderstood and you were criticized for it?  Well, if you have, then you might be able to relate with Jesus or better yet you may be able to realize that Jesus can relate with you and your situation.  In these verses we find that Jesus does a good thing for two men by ridding them of the demons that lived within them.  In this passage He only says one word, “Go!” but the result of that one word was quite amazing.  The demons were driven out of the men and into pigs.

The Jewish custom recognized pigs as being unclean so what better place to send these demons than into unclean pigs.  The demons had begged that this be where they went and Jesus allowed that to happen.  The pigs were destroyed when the entire herd ran right into the lake and drown.  Note, there were only two men but a whole herd of pigs so that tells me that there were many demons living in these men.  This must have been what caused them to be so violent as to have no one pass by them.  So, it seems like a very good idea to rid these men of the demons doesn’t it? 

The men who had been tending the pigs ran to town to tell everyone about the pigs being destroyed and about the men who had been made free, they must have all been elated at this news, right?  Wrong, they came to see Jesus but not to thank Him for His good deed but rather to tell Him to leave the area and not to come back.  I guess they didn’t think these men deserved to be made free, especially when it cost them their livelihood, their pigs. 

Seems rather sad to me but it still goes on today.  People love their money more than God’s creation of man.  They put a price on each persons head and decide who is worthy and who is not.  Jesus came for those who were sick, just like these men.  We will look at that scripture passage when we get to Matthew 9. 

I trust that as you seek Him and find Him that you will remember why you are here.  Is it for the poor or the wealthy?  Is if for the sick or the healthy person?  Is it only for the young or is it for the old as well?  Jesus came not for the well but for the sick and we are called to do the same. 
Matthew 25: 36 -40 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Also remember that Jesus was God incarnate and one reason He did that was to have a full understanding of the human trials and temptations of this life.  Hebrews 4: 14 – 16   14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:%2014%20-%2016&version=NIV1984)  Simply said, He understands. 

Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila

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